Journal-bearing.



Patented Sept. 25, l900.,

G. A. SCHEEFFER.

JOURNAL BEARING.

(Application filed my 16, 1900.)

No. 658,5I2Q

(No Model.)

Elm

Gum CHE EFF a. 1M LEE Uwrrn TATES ATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAVE A. SOHEEFFER, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND METERCOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BEARING.

SPECIFIOATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 658,512, datedSeptember 25, 1900.

Application filed May 15, 1900. Serial No. 16,708. (No model.)

To all whom, it nuty concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTAVE A SOHEEFFER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Journal-Bearings, (CaseNo. 14,) of which the following is a full, clear,

concise, and exact description, reference be-' ing had to theaccompanying drawings, form- 1o ing a part of this specification.

My invention relates to mechanisms employing rotating shafts journaledto rotate in jewel-bearings, and has for its object the-construction ofan improved form of bearing which will properly effect the alinement ofthe shaft.

My invention is particularly adaptable for use in the construction ofmeasuring instruments, as electric meters, employing vertically-disposedrotating spindles that. carry armatures, each spindle being supported atits lower end upon a lower jewel-bearing that serves to properly alinethe spindle, an upper journal being employed for engaging the upper endof the spindle. After the spindle has been properly placed the meter hasto be carefully calibrated to conform to the position of the bearings ofthe spindle and the point of pivotal engagement of the lower end of thespindle with the lower hearing. The meter after thus being carefullycalibrated is ready for shipment, the spindle being removed from thelower bearing when the meter is in transit to prevent injury to theworking parts. The lower jewel-bearing may be fractured, and thisbearing and the engaging nut of the shaft or spindle are liable to uneven wear, which would cause the shaft to be thrown out of its propervertical adjustment, whereupon a recalibration of the meter would berequired in order that the meter may be ex act. in order to avoid thesedifficulties, I have devised my improved construction, which in itspreferred embodiment may be said to comprise, generally speaking, aspindle or shaft having a separable bearing-section designed forengagement with a bearing and a bearing adapted for engagement with thissection of the shaft, so that the portion of the shaft and the bearingin engagement with the same may be both removed and replaced by similarunused parts, whereby the calibration previously effect-ed will not beimpaired.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention I employ as the separablebearing-section of the shaft or spindle a sphere composed,preferably, ofhard steel, that is adapted to be engaged by a corresponding seat in theremaining section of the spindle or shaft and also by the jewel, whichis preferably cup-shaped. By this construction the sphere readily alinesthe shaft.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof, in which Figure1 is a front elevation of a meter embodying the preferred form of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a detailed view of a modified construction. Fig. 3is a perspective view of a part of the structure shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4is a plan view on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe different figures.

I have illustrated in Fig. 1 a type of alternating-current wattmeter towhich the device of my invention may be applied. The invention, however,may have other applications. The measuring element of the meter in thisinstance comprises recording mechanism a, actuated by a'spindle or shaft1), geared thereto, the shaft carrying an armature c, which in thisinstance is in inductive relation with the field-coils of theinstrument. The sphere 01 may be said to constitute a section of theshaft, this lower section of the shaft being received by the contiguousportion of the remainder of the shaft, which is preferablyhollow, thetubular shaft being preferably provided with a seat conforming incontour to the sphere. A jewel e, composed of ruby, for example, isemployed, in which the sphere is received. This jewel is preferablycupshaped and may be removably secured upon a suitable support f,preferably by cement. The cavity of the cup-shaped bearing is of a curvehaving a larger radius than the sphere, so that the bearing flares widerthan the sphere to afford the sphere but a single bearing-po'int in thecavity, so that, the cavity will readily secure and maintain the shaftinproper alinement.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated the supportfin serve to litnitthe thrust ofthe shaftin either direction, the upper bearing beingconstruct' ed asusual to permit of the vertical elevation of the shaft to relieve thelower hearing from engagement therewith-as, for example,when theinstrument is in transit.

\Vhen the sphere portion (1 of the shaft and the jewel-bearingcontaining the same are incapable of securing proper alinement of theshaft, the sphere and the jewel may be removed and replaced without thenecessity of recalibrating the meter, as the replaced elements willserve to restore the shaft to its proper alinement, the lower roundedportion of the shaft-section (Z being received in the central portion ofthe cavity of the bearing 6.

It is obvious that changes may be made from the particular constructionherein disclosed, and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to theprecise construction shown; but,

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent-- l. The combination with a rotatable shaft, of anarmature supported thereby, the shaft being provided with a lowersection in the form-of a sphere, the said shaft-sections beingseparable, a removable cup-shaped jewelbearing beneath the shaft, thecup-shaped cavity in the jewel-bearing serving to receive Eyes Z Z aresaid sphere, and a vertically-adjustable support for the jewel-bearing,substantially as described.

2. The combination with a rotatable shaft, of an armature supportedthereby, the shaft being provided with a lower section in the formtof asphere, the said shaft-sections being separable, and a removablecup-shaped bearing beneath the shaft, the cup-shaped cavity in the saidbearing serving to receive said sphere, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a vertically-disposed. sh'aft, of a, sphereforming the lower section of the shaft and separable from the :uppersection of the shaft, the.lower end of the upper shaft-section beingprovided with a seat adapted to receive the sphere, and a cup-shapedbearing for the sphere, the cupshaped cavity in the said bearing flaringwider than the sphere and serving to receive the sphere, and to engagethe same only at a sphere and serving to receive the sphere, and

to engage the same only at a point thereof coaxial with the shaft,whereby the proper alinement is readily secured and maintained,substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 10th day of May, A.D. 1900.

GUSTAVE A. SCHEEFFER.

Witnesses:

A. B. FINK, W. J. H. ORIBB.

